Parrizas Diaz ‘so happy’ after firing Spain through to Finals

Nuria Parrizas Diaz played a starring role for Spain in their 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier with Mexico, winning two singles matches in straight sets - including the decisive third point - to send the hosts through to the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals for a third time.

Spain’s No. 1 for the tie at the Puente Romano Club de Tenis in Marbella, Parrizas Diaz rose to the occasion with victories over Renata Zarazua, albeit in an occasionally nervy display on Friday, and Marcela Zacarias on Saturday to put the result beyond doubt.

A tie that heavily favoured the hosts on paper was summed up by Sara Sorribes Tormo’s double-bagel drubbing of world No. 191 Fernanda Contreras Gomez in the opening match, and the tie ended in similarly lop-sided fashion as Parrizas Diaz defeated world No. 196 Zacarias 6-3 6-0.

That should take nothing away from Parrizas Diaz’s efforts, who was delighted to lead the team with two match wins.

“I’m so happy I could give two points playing for the first time as the number one of the team,” said the world No. 80. “I can’t describe this moment.”

“I felt more relaxed than yesterday and my game was more solid.”

Spanish captain Anabel Medina Garrigues was similarly buoyant to see her team secure a place in November’s Finals.

“It is an unbelievable feeling,” she said. “The first objective has been fulfilled. I’m so proud of this team. The girls have committed 100% from the beginning and this is the prize they deserve.”

Spain will be hoping to improve on their performance at last November’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals, when they failed to escape their group following a surprise 3-0 round-robin loss to Great Britain.

“For the Finals we still have six months,” said Medina Garrigues. “For the [players] it will be normal activity [until November]. For me it will be following them, being in contact through the year and getting slowly ready for the Finals.

“Of course there is going to be a celebration tonight,” she added. “We are Spanish and we are always ready for that. And tennis has sometimes more sad moments than happy ones. So we will grab this chance and make it count.”

Mexico, meanwhile, will return to the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs in November, and hope to earn a victory that will give them another shot at Qualifying for the Finals in 2024.